I was an eight year customer of a cable company when I was approached by a DTV sales rep in a Best Buy. He gave an excellent sales pitch because I finally signed up with DTV and the next week cancelled my cable service. I asked him how much the equipment and installation would cost, and he told me there would be no charge for any of the equipment or installation AND he would " throw in on demand free", just for me. Technician comes over 3 days later and installs, but tells me I need another device to access the DTV Cinema. While he was still at my house, he uses my phone to make a call and tells the person on the other line that they need to send this particular device. Three weeks later, no device. I call customer service and find out that it will cost $80. I understand it's a semi-reasonable price, but nobody told me I had to pay for this device. Not the sales rep, not the technician. I feel duped. So I am locked into a two year agreement, without G4, without H2, without NatGeo Wild, and without any On Demand service. In two years I will return to my slightly more expensive cable company. I will happily pay an extra $10 for some honest people.
DirecTV dishonest
1 - 20 of 52 Posts
Joined
·
4,792 Posts
On demand IS free (except most of what is in it is pay per view - no local networks).
What receiver model did you get?
Did you only get 1 receiver or more than 1?
What they are selling you is the device to connect the receivers to the internet so you can download "On demand."
What receiver model did you get?
Did you only get 1 receiver or more than 1?
What they are selling you is the device to connect the receivers to the internet so you can download "On demand."
Joined
·
9,822 Posts
If you by chance had an HMC (HR34) installed, you can plug an ethernet cable from that unit to your router and get on demand with no additional devices.
If you only have ONE DirecTv box, you can hook it to your router in the same way.
If you have more than one DVR or receiver, then you will need the Cinema Connection Kit. If you call and say CANCEL at the first two automated prompts, you will get put in contact with the retention department, who might be able to give you some credits for its purchase. Worth a try.
BTW, those dealers are not really DirecTv employees. Its the dealer you need to find and get to pony up the money for the CCK. I would be nice if all salesmen were ethical and honest, but that is just not the case.
If you only have ONE DirecTv box, you can hook it to your router in the same way.
If you have more than one DVR or receiver, then you will need the Cinema Connection Kit. If you call and say CANCEL at the first two automated prompts, you will get put in contact with the retention department, who might be able to give you some credits for its purchase. Worth a try.
BTW, those dealers are not really DirecTv employees. Its the dealer you need to find and get to pony up the money for the CCK. I would be nice if all salesmen were ethical and honest, but that is just not the case.
Ya, I understand that On Demand is free. My biggest issue is that I was told all my equipment would come at no cost, then 3 weeks later I find out that its not true, 1 piece of equipment costs $80 in order to get full use of my service.
And I tried to get them to send me the equipment at no cost, and I tried to get them to send it to me at cost and credit it later. It was a no go. They wouldn't do it.
It's not really that big of an issue, it's just TV. I don't need TV. It's that I had hoped for better customer service. Even though those guys don't "work" for DirecTV, they still represent them, and it would have been nice to have been given the entire truth. I probably would have paid for that connection kit if the dude at Best Buy would have said so. Oh well, guess I was asking for too much...
The actual TV service, however, is good. Clear crisp channels, lots of HD channels
And I tried to get them to send me the equipment at no cost, and I tried to get them to send it to me at cost and credit it later. It was a no go. They wouldn't do it.
It's not really that big of an issue, it's just TV. I don't need TV. It's that I had hoped for better customer service. Even though those guys don't "work" for DirecTV, they still represent them, and it would have been nice to have been given the entire truth. I probably would have paid for that connection kit if the dude at Best Buy would have said so. Oh well, guess I was asking for too much...
The actual TV service, however, is good. Clear crisp channels, lots of HD channels
Joined
·
4,161 Posts
This will work for your system - and cost's way less than $80.Anharat said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Broadba...ultDomain_0&hash=item4ab2c86938#ht_500wt_1287
You have 2 years to get over your first bad feeling - don't dwell on it and if this is your first type of experence-then learn from it and never let it happen from another consumer purchase.
Welcome to DBS Talk :lol:
That kit is wired so you need to have another coax running so that you can connect it near your router. If you don't have a spare coax that's connected the the splitter that won't do any good.
I would call back and check because some of what you're saying doesn't mesh unless there are other factors going on.
I would call back and check because some of what you're saying doesn't mesh unless there are other factors going on.
Joined
·
7,054 Posts
So shouldnt this really be titled BB sales rep for Directv misled me instead? It wasnt actually Directv that was dishonest here.
Since the customer ordered her service through the 3rd party dealer in best buy they have full responsibility for making it right. Therefore it doesn't come with the 30 day 'i'm missing a part/i thought that receiver was going to be HD' warranty that Directv offers when one of their in-house sales people make a mistake. That is why there is a charge, both for the parts, and for *D to roll a truck for something the dealer should have done in the first place.
The best bet is going to be to buy a Wireless CCK from e-bay and move on.
2nd best is going back to best buy venting a little and letting the manager of the best buy know what kind of a cheat the guy pawning off the directv service is, finding out what the name of that 3rd party dealer is and filing with the BBB.
Like i tell people.... If your going to go buy a new ford, go to a ford dealership, don't go down to el habib's motorplex.
The best bet is going to be to buy a Wireless CCK from e-bay and move on.
2nd best is going back to best buy venting a little and letting the manager of the best buy know what kind of a cheat the guy pawning off the directv service is, finding out what the name of that 3rd party dealer is and filing with the BBB.
Like i tell people.... If your going to go buy a new ford, go to a ford dealership, don't go down to el habib's motorplex.
Joined
·
11 Posts
Hi. Im a HSP installer. Im a contractor but am basically like a guy in the van. When you order through BB or Sam, you are getting a retailer installer. someone who is not required to be a certified technician....not to say they are not, but that the requirement to be a retailer installer is a clean background, not SBCA....he may be SBCA certified but its hit or miss. The wired BB Deca above will work if you have Whole Home DVR and want that to keep working but you will need a open port on the splitter in the attic/box out side/smart box in your closet or you will have to get a 1x2 swim splitter to split the line at the receiver next to the router. there is a wi-fi kit available but retailers are hard to come by them....regular HSP techs carry at least 2 on their truck....this is why i recommend people order directly through DirecTV's website or calling 800-531-5000 because your tech will be a certified HSP (Home Service Provider) installer and can connect your job properly. The kit is free and is added all the time on upgrades. I recommend calling DTV and saying the tech didnt bring one....you know that customers who have a van come to their house get them for free and that you know you are entitled to a free upgrade to get your system connected. DirecTVs goal is to connect every system to maximize PPV potential....if you have any more questions let me know
Joined
·
1,764 Posts
no, they are not employees of BB, they are 3rd party sales weasels that are paid by DirectvCCarncross said:
Joined
·
11,540 Posts
+1......ya gotta love these third party deals.CCarncross said:
Not quite. They work for third-party sales companies (agents and distributors). The people themselves are not paid by DirecTV, they are paid by the company that employs them (usually part time). The company itself has an agreement with DirecTV, where the more deals that are signed the more money they make (and the person who gets the deal signed makes more money also). The problem is the people look like they are DirecTV employees (many of them will have a DirecTV shirt) and so the public think they work for DirecTV. Most of them know very little about DirecTV, and so they will often give incorrect information (not necessarily deliberately, they just don't know any better).wingrider01 said:
Joined
·
11 Posts
If the op has only one hd dvr and no other hd equipment therefore not using whole home he could connect an Ethernet cable to the hd dvr reset and have on demand with no additional equipment
1 - 20 of 52 Posts
